Expansion and Job Creation Plans
India’s container handling capacity is set to witness a remarkable increase, with projections to double in the next five years. Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, revealed this during a recent press conference. He highlighted the government’s achievements in the first 100 days.
He emphasised that container handling is expected to reach 40 million TEUs. This will create 2 million new job opportunities across the country.
Key Port Development Milestones
Among the key milestones shared, the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) is set to become the first Indian port with a capacity to handle 10 million TEUs.
The Minister also highlighted the upcoming International Container Transshipment Port (ICTP) at Galathea Bay on the Great Nicobar Island. This port will serve as a major transshipment hub for international trade.
Focus on India’s Maritime Transformation
Shri Sonowal attributed the rapid progress to Prime Minister Modi’s vision of ‘Transformation through Transportation.’ Under this vision, the government is focusing on strengthening port infrastructure. It is also enhancing shipbuilding and forming ship repair clusters in five states—Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha.
These developments are coupled with sustainable projects like hydrogen manufacturing hubs at Deendayal Port. They are poised to transform India into a global maritime leader.
Increasing Efficiency and Sustainability
The Ministry also announced the operationalization of several initiatives aimed at improving efficiency and sustainability. These initiatives include the Green Tug Transition Programme. They also involve the digitization of port operations to reduce costs. These efforts will boost India’s container handling capacity and reinforce its maritime capabilities on the global stage.
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